Another silly question
 

What is the difference between a surface iron and a yo-yo iron? They look similar. Is it common to have a yo-yo setup and a surface iron on a jig stick on the yak with you at the same time?

Absolutely! haha
A yo yo iron, such as a Salas 6x, usually weighs twice as much as a surface iron. They tend to be shorter, fatter, and heavier. Surface irons tend to be longer, and much more light weight, i.e Tady 45. Due to this, a "jig stick" will usually be 8'-10' long. A yo yo set up us usually a 6'- 8' heavy action rod, fished with 40#line.
Both applications tend to be fished with mono due to the fact that it will stretch and absorb the shock of the strike.


Hopefully these pics will give you a better idea....

http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/v...s/SDC10992.jpg

http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/v...s/SDC10994.jpg

http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/v...s/SDC10995.jpg

A surface iron like a Tady 45 weighs about 3 oz and swims just below the surface on a medium retreive. A Salas 6xJr weighs about 4.5 oz and is a heavy, yoyo iron. Drop it to the bottom (or below where you think the fish are holding) and crank like crazy. A reel with a 6:1 gear ratio is good for yoyoing. When your iron is back to the surface (or above where you think the fish are holding) let it back down and repeat. That's why it's called yoyoing. If your jig stops moving it's in a fishes mouth... crank even harder and set the hook!
Having both is a good thing. :jig:

Rod for yoyo
 

What rod is recomended for yoyo?

I ALWAYS have a yoyo setup and a jigstck on board...both with #40mono.

As for yoyo rods, just about any 30-60 rated rod around 7ft or less will work...I played with alot of yoyo setups this winter, my favorite is the calstar GG 756xl, 6.5ft, 20-60lb rated, with a saltist 30h (or 40h) it's super lightweight, and fits in my palm well for those long days of grinding.

Also read the articals on this site about fishing the iron, and pay attention to the part on retrive speed. Too fast just spins the iron and twists your line. when worked at the right speed the iron should swim like this:jig:

Thats quite a tackle shop Tyler! Ill take the mac pattern Taddy45.....

Wow after reading this, I realize I need more gear!! The addiction continues for fishing stuff!!!!! :the_finger:

I like to have both and often use a heavy iron if I am casting into the wind.